Chick production methods and chick production systems

Abstract

A novel chick production method and system, different from conventional methods that concentrate all surviving eggs in hatching trays to produce chicks, have been obtained. The chick production method of the present invention is based on physical information measured on the incubation eggs (E) from the time they are placed in the hatching tray (7) until they are transferred to the hatching tray (8), and divides the incubation eggs (E) into multiple groups, placing them in the hatching trays (8) to produce chicks. Furthermore, the chick production system (1) of the present invention includes a measuring unit (2), a sorting unit (3), and a housing unit (4), and the production system (1) enables the production of chicks in multiple hatching trays (8) respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method and system for producing chicks. Background Technology

[0002] Eggs used in chick production are incubated under specified temperature and humidity conditions. During incubation, the activity and viability of the embryo inside the egg are assessed. Eggs deemed unfit for survival (e.g., unfertilized, rotten, or dead) are removed from incubation. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-505207 (Patent Document 1)). In conventional methods, eggs are grouped based on whether they are viable at the time of inspection; incubation continues for groups of viable eggs, while incubation for other groups is interrupted.

[0003] In groups where incubation continues, eggs are contained and chicks hatch in a hatcher tray, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-502396 (Patent Document 2). Not all eggs placed in a hatcher tray hatch simultaneously. The timing of chick hatching varies for each egg, and the term "hatcher window" is used to indicate the time interval from the hatching of the first chick to the hatching of the last chick. When the hatchcher window widens, the developmental difference between the first and last hatched chicks increases. Therefore, methods are sought to minimize the hatchcher window as much as possible.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-505207

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-502396 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0009] The inventors noted that even within groups of eggs determined to be surviving at the inspection point, differences in the state and characteristics of the embryos could be observed during the incubation period. The object of this invention is to provide a novel method and system for producing chicks, distinct from conventional methods that involve concentrating all surviving eggs in a hatching tray to produce chicks.

[0010] Solution for solving the problem

[0011] The chick production method of the present invention is based on physical information measured on the incubation eggs from the time they are placed in the setter tray until they are to be moved to the hatching tray, and the incubation eggs are divided into multiple groups and placed in each group of hatching trays to produce chicks.

[0012] The chick production method of the present invention includes a measurement step, a housing step, and a chick-producing step. In the measurement step, physical information of the incubated eggs is measured from the time they are housed in the incubation chamber tray until they are transferred to the hatching chamber tray. In the housing step, the incubated eggs are divided into multiple groups and housed in the hatching chamber tray based on the measured physical information. In the chick-producing step, the incubated eggs housed in the hatching chamber tray are temperature-adjusted to produce chicks.

[0013] Here, even for eggs from the same batch, the "physical information" varies from egg to egg. "Physical information" refers to information that can be measured using a measurement unit. For example, it can include the egg's weight, shell temperature, egg shape coefficient (the coefficient obtained by dividing the egg's minor diameter by its major diameter and then multiplying by 100), air cell height, air cell volume, shell thickness, shell strength, embryonic movement, and heartbeat.

[0014] Alternatively, when dividing eggs in the incubation process into multiple groups, in addition to utilizing the physical information of the eggs, their attribute information can also be used.

[0015] Here, "attribute information" refers to common information shared by eggs in the same batch. For example, it can include the breed of chicken, the age of the parents, the date and time of egg laying, the contents of the feed, the medical history of the parents, and their vaccination history.

[0016] The chick-producing system of the present invention includes a measuring unit, a sorting unit, and a receiving unit, which enables the production of chicks from incubated eggs in multiple hatching chamber trays. The measuring unit measures the physical information of incubated eggs contained in the hatching chamber trays or the physical information of incubated eggs removed from the hatching chamber trays. The sorting unit divides the incubated eggs into multiple groups based on the physical information measured by the measuring unit. The receiving unit receives the incubated eggs in the multiple hatching chamber trays according to the groups separated by the sorting unit.

[0017] The effects of the invention

[0018] According to the present invention, a new method and system for producing chicks is provided, which differs from the conventional method of producing chicks by concentrating all surviving eggs in a hatching tray.

[0019] The above-described objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention, as well as other objects, features, aspects, and advantages, will become apparent from the following detailed description relating to the invention, which is understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a chick production system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the typical chick production process in a hatchery.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a chick production system according to this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the method for producing chicks according to this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a chick production system according to a variation of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating a chick production system according to other variations of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Below, refer to Figures 1-4 An embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0027] In breeding chicken companies, farms that raise breeding chickens whose parents are commercial chickens are called breeding chicken farms. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the eggs laid at this breed of chicken farm are temporarily collected in an egg storage area. Afterwards, a process known as preheating is performed on the eggs. Then, the eggs are placed in an incubator (hereinafter referred to as "Incubation Room 5") and incubation begins. On the 18th or 19th day from the start of incubation in Incubation Room 5, the eggs are moved to an incubator (hereinafter referred to as "Hatching Room 6"). Chicks then hatch approximately 21 days after the start of incubation.

[0028] In the incubation chamber 5, an incubation tray 7 (also called a "flat") is used to individually contain the eggs and keep them upright. On the other hand, in the hatching chamber 6, an open hatching tray 8 (also called a "basket") is used so that the eggs can be incubated at any time without being individually contained.

[0029] In this incubation process, the eggs are usually separated into surviving eggs and non-surviving eggs when the eggs are transferred from the incubation chamber tray 7 to the hatching chamber tray 8.

[0030] The chick production system 1 of this embodiment further groups surviving eggs to produce chicks by group. The chick production system 1 includes a measuring unit 2, a sorting unit 3, and a receiving unit 4. The Xth day from the time the eggs are placed in the incubation chamber 5 for incubation is referred to as "day X of incubation". In addition, the eggs from the time they are placed in the incubation chamber 5 for incubation until the chicks are produced are recorded as "incubation eggs E".

[0031] The measuring unit 2 measures the physical information of an incubated egg E removed from the incubation tray 7. The measuring unit 2 measures the physical information at the time when the incubated egg E is to be transferred from the incubation tray 7 to the hatching tray 8, for example, on the 18th day of incubation. The measuring unit 2 can measure the physical information of the incubated egg E both when it is contained in the incubation tray 7 and when it is removed from the incubation tray 7. The physical information includes, for example, information related to the heartbeat of the embryo of the incubated egg E (hereinafter referred to as "heartbeat data"). The heartbeat data includes the heartbeat count, heartbeat intensity, etc. The measuring unit 2 includes, for example, an irradiation unit and a light-receiving unit (neither shown). The measuring unit 2 detects, for example, the light transmitted through the egg from the irradiation unit (transmitted light) irradiated onto the egg by the light-receiving unit. The measuring unit 2 obtains the aforementioned physical information by, for example, using the change in the intensity of the transmitted light detected by the light-receiving unit. A measuring unit well known in the art can be used as the measuring unit 2.

[0032] The selection unit 3 divides the incubation eggs E into multiple groups based on the physical information measured by the measurement unit 2. The selection unit 3 estimates, for example, the embryonic state and characteristics of the incubation eggs E based on the physical information measured by the measurement unit 2. The selection unit 3 further compares, for example, the estimated embryonic characteristics with a predetermined threshold to classify the incubation eggs E into group 1 (surviving eggs), group 2 (surviving eggs), and group 3 (non-surviving eggs). Group 1, for example, is a group of incubation eggs E estimated to hatch at a relatively early time. Group 2, for example, is a group of incubation eggs E estimated to hatch at a relatively late time. The selection unit 3, for example, uses the heartbeat data of the incubation eggs E on day 18 of incubation to estimate the hatching time of the incubation eggs E. Specifically, if the heartbeat data is clear and stable (on day 18 of incubation), the selection unit 3 will consider the heartbeat data. Figure 3 If the heartbeat data is strong (indicated by "strong"), it can be estimated that the egg may hatch relatively early. On the other hand, if the heartbeat data is unstable (in...), it indicates a relatively early hatching time. Figure 3 If the heartbeat data is unclear (indicated by "weak"), it can be estimated that the egg may have hatched relatively late. Additionally, if the heartbeat data is unclear (in...),... Figure 3 If the value is expressed as "micro" (in Chinese), it can be estimated that the egg may not hatch.

[0033] Furthermore, when measuring heartbeat data for estimating incubation timing, heartbeat data can also be measured on days other than day 18 of incubation, such as days 11 to 14 of incubation. Embryos that hatch later (at a relatively later stage) tend to have lower heartbeat rates and weaker heartbeat intensity throughout incubation compared to embryos that hatch earlier (at a relatively earlier stage).

[0034] The receiving unit 4 collects the incubation eggs E in multiple hatching chamber trays 8 according to the groups separated by the sorting unit 3. The receiving unit 4 is, for example, a device for transferring the incubation eggs E. The receiving unit 4 transfers group 1 of surviving eggs to hatching chamber tray 8 of group 1, transfers group 2 of surviving eggs to another hatching chamber tray 8, and moves non-surviving eggs to a disposal site. The receiving unit 4 is a device for transferring the incubation eggs E from the hatching chamber tray 7 to the hatching chamber tray 8, and can hold and release the incubation eggs E one by one.

[0035] Next, use Figure 4 Let's take an example of a method for producing chicks.

[0036] Eggs laid at the breeding farm (step S1) are filled into incubation tray 7 (step S2) and temporarily stored (step S3). After preheating (step S4), they are placed in incubation chamber 5 (step S5) for a specified period of temperature adjustment (step S6).

[0037] On the 18th (or 19th) day after being placed in incubator 5, the incubator tray 7 containing the incubation eggs E is removed from incubator 5, and the heartbeat data of these incubation eggs E is measured by the measuring unit 2 (step S7). The sorting unit 3 estimates the state and characteristics of the incubation eggs E based on the heartbeat data obtained in step S7, and groups the incubation eggs E (step S8). The receiving unit 4 removes the incubation eggs E from the incubator tray 7. The receiving unit 4 moves the incubation eggs E to the hatching tray 8 based on the groups separated in step S8 (step S9).

[0038] The eggs E incubated in hatching tray 8 of group 1 and the eggs E incubated in hatching tray 8 of group 2 are further subjected to temperature adjustments in hatching chamber 6 for a specified period (steps S10 and S11). Hatching trays 8 of group 1 and group 2 are placed separately in hatching chamber 6. Furthermore, different environmental controls can be applied to hatching trays 8 of group 1 and group 2 within hatching chamber 6. This allows for adjustment of the deviation between the hatching windows of group 1 and group 2, ensuring a consistent quality of chicks.

[0039] Subsequently, chicks are hatched in hatching trays 8 of group 1 and group 2, respectively (steps S12 and S13). Furthermore, most of the chicks hatched in hatching trays 8 of group 1 hatch earlier overall than those hatched in hatching trays 8 of group 2. That is, uniformity of hatching timing (also known as generation timing) can be achieved in each hatching tray 8.

[0040] As explained above, in the chick production method of this embodiment, based on physical information measured on the incubation egg E from the time it is placed in the incubation chamber tray 7 until it is to be transferred to the hatching chamber tray 8, the incubation egg E is divided into multiple groups and placed in the hatching chamber tray 8 to produce chicks. Alternatively, from a different perspective, the chick production method of the present invention includes a measurement step (step S7), a placement step (step S9), and a chick production step (steps S10 to S13). In the measurement step (step S7), physical information is measured on the incubation egg E from the time it is placed in the incubation chamber tray 7 until it is to be transferred to the hatching chamber tray 8. In the placement step (step S9), the incubation egg E is divided into multiple groups and placed in the hatching chamber tray 8 based on the measured physical information. In the process of producing chicks (steps S10 to S13), the temperature of the incubated eggs E contained in the hatching chamber tray 8 is adjusted to produce chicks.

[0041] Furthermore, the production system 1, used to realize such a method of producing chicks, includes a measuring unit 2, a sorting unit 3, and a receiving unit 4. The production system 1 produces chicks separately in multiple hatching chamber trays 8. The measuring unit 2 measures the physical information of incubated eggs E contained in the hatching chamber tray 7 or the physical information of incubated eggs E removed from the hatching chamber tray 7. The sorting unit 3 divides the incubated eggs E into multiple groups based on the physical information measured by the measuring unit 2. The receiving unit 4 receives the incubated eggs E into multiple hatching chamber trays 8 according to the groups divided by the sorting unit 3. Because it is such a system, the production timing in each hatching chamber tray 8 can be made uniform.

[0042] The physical information is measured at the time point when the incubation eggs E are transferred from the incubation chamber tray 7 to the hatching chamber tray 8. Therefore, the incubation eggs E can be grouped based on the state and characteristics of the embryos closer to hatching time.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0044] Figure 5 and Figure 6The chick production system 1 involved in the modified examples is shown respectively. In each modified example, the same reference numerals are used to mark the parts that are the same as (or equivalent to) the above-described embodiments, and their descriptions are not repeated unless necessary.

[0045] Figure 5 The chick production system 1 shown uses information related to eggshell temperature as physical information. The measuring unit 2 measures the eggshell temperature as physical information while the eggs are contained in the incubation tray 7. The measuring unit 2 measures the eggshell temperature, for example, on day 3 and day 17 of incubation. When dividing incubation eggs E into multiple groups, the sorting unit 3 utilizes the changes in multiple physical information (eggshell temperature) measured for a single incubation egg E on different days (e.g., day 3 and day 17 of incubation). Furthermore, it is known that the embryo typically generates heat from day 12 or 13 of incubation, causing the eggshell temperature to rise. If this characteristic is utilized, the timing of the measuring unit 2's measurement of the eggshell temperature is not limited to day 3 and day 17 of incubation.

[0046] That is, it was used Figure 5 The chick production method of the chick production system 1 shown is basically the same as... Figure 4 The production methods for the chicks shown are the same, but... Figure 4 The contents of steps S7 and S8 are the same as Figure 4 The production methods for the chicks shown are different. These will be explained in detail below.

[0047] After using Figure 5 In the chick production system 1 shown, the chick production method involves implementing... Figure 4 Following steps S1 to S6, step S7, as a step for measuring physical information, measures the eggshell temperature as an example of physical information for an egg E during incubation on each day of different dates. The dates for measurement can be, for example, the 3rd day of incubation and the 17th day of incubation, as described above. Furthermore, step S7, as a step for measuring physical information, is related to... Figure 4 Similarly, in the chick production method shown, the heart rate data of egg E during incubation is measured by the measuring unit 2 on day 18 (or day 19) of incubation. The eggshell temperature and heart rate data are measured while egg E is contained in incubation tray 7 during incubation. The eggshell temperature is measured while incubation tray 7 is contained in incubation chamber 5. The heart rate data is measured after incubation tray 7 has been removed from incubation chamber 5.

[0048] Next, steps S8 and S9 are performed to divide the incubation eggs E into multiple groups and house them in the hatching tray 8. In step S8, changes in multiple physical information measured for one incubation egg E, namely, changes in eggshell temperature, are utilized. Furthermore, in step S8, both the aforementioned heartbeat data and the aforementioned changes in eggshell temperature can be used to group the incubation eggs E, but only the changes in eggshell temperature can also be used. Alternatively, heartbeat data can be used to distinguish between surviving and non-surviving eggs in the incubation eggs E. When grouping surviving eggs, both changes in eggshell temperature and heartbeat data can be used, or only the changes in eggshell temperature can be used.

[0049] Subsequently, through implementation Figure 4 Steps S10 to S13 shown can produce chicks.

[0050] in addition, Figure 6 The chick production system 1 shown uses information related to egg weight as physical information. The measuring unit 2 measures the egg weight as physical information at the time of transfer of incubation eggs to the incubation tray 7 and at the time of transfer of incubation eggs from the incubation tray 7 to the hatching tray 8. For example, the measuring unit 2 measures the egg weight on day 0 and day 18 of incubation. When dividing incubation eggs E into multiple groups, the sorting unit 3 utilizes the changes in multiple physical information (egg weight) measured for a single incubation egg E on different dates (e.g., day 0 and day 18 of incubation). Furthermore, it is known that the egg weight typically decreases by about 12% to 13% around day 18 of incubation compared to the egg weight at the start of incubation. By utilizing this characteristic, the timing of egg weight measurement by the measuring unit 2 is not limited to day 0 and day 18 of incubation.

[0051] That is, it was used Figure 6 The chick production method of the chick production system 1 shown is basically the same as... Figure 4 The production methods for the chicks shown are the same, but... Figure 4 The contents of steps S7 and S8 are the same as Figure 4 The production methods for the chicks shown are different. These will be explained in detail below.

[0052] After using Figure 6In the chick production method of the chick production system 1 shown, as a step of measuring physical information, step S7, the weight of an incubation egg E is measured as an example of physical information for each day on different dates. The dates for measurement can be, for example, day 0 and day 18 of incubation, as described above. The weight measurement of the egg on day 0 of incubation is performed when the incubation egg E is placed in the incubation chamber tray 7. The weight measurement of the egg on day 18 of incubation is performed when the incubation egg E is transferred from the incubation chamber tray 7 to the hatching chamber tray 8. Furthermore, as a step of measuring physical information, step S7 is... Figure 4 Similarly, in the chick production method shown, the heart rate data of the incubation egg E is measured by the measuring unit 2 on the 18th (or 19th) day of incubation. The heart rate data measurement is performed while the incubation egg E is contained in the incubation chamber tray 7.

[0053] Next, steps S8 and S9 are performed to divide the incubation eggs E into multiple groups and house them in the hatching tray 8. In step S8, changes in multiple physical information measured for one incubation egg E, namely the change in egg weight, are utilized. Furthermore, in step S8, both the aforementioned heartbeat data and the aforementioned change in egg weight can be used to group the incubation eggs E, but only the change in egg weight can also be used. Alternatively, heartbeat data can be used to distinguish between surviving and non-surviving eggs in the incubation eggs E. When grouping surviving eggs, both the change in egg weight and heartbeat data can be used, or only the change in egg weight can be used.

[0054] Subsequently, through implementation Figure 4 Steps S10 to S13 shown can produce chicks.

[0055] in the case of Figure 5 and Figure 6 The chick production system and method shown can achieve the same effects as the above-described implementation. Furthermore, by using information related to eggshell temperature and egg weight as physical information, it is possible to improve the accuracy of uniformity in timing of production, or to group eggs E during incubation based on other factors such as the state and characteristics of the embryo (whether it is a normal chick or an abnormal chick, or whether it is male or female, etc.).

[0056] Alternatively, as another variation, when dividing the incubation eggs E into multiple groups (in steps S8 and S9 of dividing the incubation eggs into multiple groups and storing them in the hatching tray 8), in addition to utilizing the physical information of the incubation eggs E, their attribute information can also be utilized. Attribute information could include, for example, the breed of chicken, the age of the parents, the date and time of egg laying, the contents of the feed, the parents' medical history, and vaccination history.

[0057] As physical information, examples include egg weight, shell temperature, egg shape factor (the factor obtained by dividing the egg's minor axis by its major axis and multiplying by 100), air cell height, air cell volume, shell thickness, shell strength, embryonic movement, and heartbeat. Furthermore, when using information related to heartbeat as physical information, the timing of its measurement is not limited to day 18 of incubation. Additionally, the purpose of grouping is not limited to homogenizing the timing of generation (narrowing the hatching window).

[0058] When dividing the incubation eggs E into multiple groups, the selection unit 3 can utilize changes in multiple physical information measured on different dates for a single incubation egg E, or it can utilize only one physical information measured at a single point in time for a single incubation egg E. The selection unit 3 can group the incubation eggs E using only one type of physical information (e.g., only heart rate data, only eggshell temperature, only egg weight) or it can use a combination of multiple measurements to group the incubation eggs E.

[0059] The measuring unit 2 can measure the physical information of the egg E during incubation both inside the incubation chamber 5 and after it has been removed from the incubation chamber 5. The measuring unit 2 can also use images to measure the physical information of the egg E during incubation.

[0060] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. The invention is intended to include not only the scope described above, but also all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0061] Industrial availability

[0062] This invention can be used for methods of selecting eggs during incubation, methods of producing chicks, systems of selecting eggs during incubation, and systems of producing chicks.

[0063] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0064] 1: Chick production system; 2: Measurement department; 3: Selection department; 4: Sheltering department; 5: Hatching room; 6: Hatching room; 7: Hatching room tray; 8: Hatching room tray; E: Eggs in incubation.

Claims

1. A method of producing chicks, comprising the steps of: determining, by a determination section, physical information for an incubation-in-process egg from a period when the incubation-in-process egg is housed in an incubator tray until a period when the incubation-in-process egg is to be moved to a hatcher tray; classifying, by a selection section, the incubation-in-process egg into a plurality of groups based on the determined physical information and an estimated hatching timing of the incubation-in-process egg, wherein the plurality of groups include a first viable egg group, a second viable egg group, and a non-viable egg group, wherein the incubation-in-process egg of the first viable egg group has a different estimated hatching timing from the incubation-in-process egg of the second viable egg group; housing, by a housing section, the classified incubation-in-process egg in a plurality of respective hatcher trays for each viable egg group classified by the selection section; moving the hatcher tray for each viable egg group to a hatcher room, wherein the hatcher tray for the first viable egg group and the hatcher tray for the second viable egg group are separately placed in the hatcher room; and adjusting, in the hatcher room, a temperature for the incubation-in-process egg housed in the hatcher tray to produce chicks, wherein a different temperature adjustment is performed for the first viable egg group and the second viable egg group in the hatcher room.

2. The method of producing chicks according to claim 1, wherein attribute information of the incubation-in-process egg is also used in the step of classifying the incubation-in-process egg into a plurality of groups, and the attribute information includes a breed of a chicken, a day of age of a parent chicken, a date and time of egg laying, a content of feed, a medical history and a vaccination history of the parent chicken.

3. The method of producing chicks according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the physical information is determined for one incubation-in-process egg on each day of different dates in the step of determining the physical information, and a change in the plurality of physical information determined for one incubation-in-process egg is used in the step of classifying the incubation-in-process egg into a plurality of groups. wherein 4. The method of producing chicks according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the physical information includes at least any one of information related to an eggshell temperature and information related to a weight of an egg.

5. A system for producing chicks, comprising: a determination section configured to determine physical information of an incubation-in-process egg housed in an incubator tray or physical information of the incubation-in-process egg taken out from the incubator tray; a selection section configured to classify the incubation-in-process egg into a plurality of groups based on the physical information determined by the determination section and an estimated hatching timing of the incubation-in-process egg, wherein the plurality of groups include a first viable egg group, a second viable egg group, and a non-viable egg group, wherein the incubation-in-process egg of the first viable egg group has a different estimated hatching timing from the incubation-in-process egg of the second viable egg group; a housing section configured to house the incubation-in-process egg in a plurality of respective hatcher trays for each viable egg group classified by the selection section; and a hatcher room into which the hatcher tray for each viable egg group is moved, wherein the hatcher tray for the first viable egg group and the hatcher tray for the second viable egg group are separately placed in the hatcher room. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ wherein, ​ ​ ​ ​ wherein the production system of the chicks is configured to produce chicks from the hatching-in-process eggs in the plurality of the hatcher trays, respectively, and to adjust the temperature for the hatching-in-process eggs housed in the hatcher trays in the hatcher to produce chicks, wherein the production system of the chicks is configured to apply different temperature adjustments for the first group of live eggs and the second group of live eggs in the hatcher.

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